CAL Scribe Fiction Prize – for over 35s

Scribe has announced the CAL Scribe Fiction Prize. The prize is open for an unpublished manuscript by any Australian writer over 35, who may or may not have been published before. The winner will be awarded a book contract from Scribe and a prize of $12,000. Scribe's fiction editor, Aviva Tuffield said for a number of years it has concerned us that the Vogel Prize is only for writers under 35 because it seems that many novelists, especially women, only find the time and have acquired the life experience to write novels later in life. Late bloomers include Annie Proulx who didn't start writing until she was in her 50s, Elizabeth Jolley who published her first novel at 53, Penelope Fitzgerald started in her 60s and Mary Wesley had her first adult novel published when she was 70. And it's not just women: Raymond Chandler published his first story at 45 and first novel at 51 and Norman Lebrecht won the Whitbread Award at the age of 54. Scribe hope the prize will raise the profile of Australian fiction and find a wonderful new voice or novel. Scribe appreciates the assistance of Copyright Agency Limited in helping to establish the prize.. The winner will be announced in March 2010. Entries close 15 October. For entry forms visit www.scribepublications.com.au/prize.